Charleroi Man Found Guilty Of Violating Federal Firearms Laws

PITTSBURGH – On Feb. 28, 2014, after deliberating approximately one hour, a federal jury of nine men and three women found Thomas David Steiner guilty of one count of violating federal firearms laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Steiner, 39, formerly of Charleroi, Pa., was tried before Chief United States District Judge Joy Flowers Conti in Pittsburgh, Pa.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Lieber Smolar, who prosecuted the case, the evidence presented at trial established that in and around August of 2007, Steiner, a convicted felon, possessed assorted ammunition. Federal law prohibits anyone who has been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year to possess a firearm or ammunition.

Judge Conti scheduled sentencing for June 26, 2014, at 3:30 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 15 years in prison, to a maximum of life, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based on the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pennsylvania State Police conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Steiner.